The site of the new Clinton Elementary School is beginning to look more and more like a construction site.

Progress is being made in preparation of laying the foundation for the building in the spring. Superintendent of Clinton Schools Dr. Jeff Holmes explains right now site excavation is being done. Dr. Holmes explains site excavation is basically preparing the ground with soil suitable for laying a foundation for the building they are going to put up.

[audio:112912sitework1.mp3] [/audio]

According to Dr. Holmes, the clay has to have a certain moisture level. Once the moisture level has been reached at the current level, they compact it, and bring in the next layer, and the cycle continues. Dr. Holmes says about 15 layers have been put in so far, and with a large building to go up, it is very important to have very compact soil underneath it.

[audio:112912sitework2.mp3] [/audio]

Believe it or not, with as dry as the summer was, the rains post-drought have put too much moisture into the soil. Thankfully for construction crews, they have been able to reach their moisture levels and continue working over the past several weeks. Dr. Holmes notes before a nice stretch just prior to Thanksgiving, there was a little concern they may not be able to reach the necessary moisture levels to finish the soil compaction for the winter.

[audio:112912sitework3.mp3] [/audio]

As we begin to see the winter weather start to make it's way to central Illinois, Dr. Holmes is hopeful there will be time to begin drilling for their geothermal wells. Right now, everything is on pace for the time line of beginning construction next spring for the new school.